Rideshare Accident Frequently Asked Questions

Our rideshare accident legal group gets many questions from clients and potential clients regarding accidents or incidents they’ve been involved in and how a potential rideshare injury case will proceed. Here are just a few of the questions we commonly receive and the answers to those questions:

While both are ridesharing companies, Uber is bigger than Lyft, so it’s available in more places. Uber is international, with services all over the world. Lyft is only available in America.

When it comes to cost, Uber and Lyft are similar in regular charges. There are times where people are more likely to call a rideshare service, and Lyft and Uber both increase their prices. However, Uber rates can increase more than Lyft’s.

Do Lyft/Uber drivers require any extra training?

No, Uber and Lyft drivers do not require extra training, but they do have to meet certain requirements.

Uber requires drivers to be at least 21 years old, have 1 year of experience as a licensed driver in the U.S. (drivers under 23 years old must have 3 years of experience), have a valid U.S. driver’s license, and drive an eligible 4-door vehicle.

Lyft requires drivers to be 21 years old with a valid U.S. driver’s license and 1 year of driving experience. There is a DMV check and background check to see if there is any bad driving history or criminal history.

What type of insurance do Uber/Lyft drivers carry?

Lyft and Uber both have liability coverage that changes depending on the stage of driving.

Between the time of turning on the app and accepting a ride, there is coverage of up to $50,000 for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for damaged property. Between the ride matching and dropping off the passenger, there is primary liability coverage of $1,000,000 per accident and $1,000,000 for uninsured and underinsured motorists.

Drivers may also carry their own insurance policies which may provide more coverage during the times when they’re not using the app to actively drive a passenger or drive to meet them.

What happens if my Lyft/Uber driver was responsible for the accident?

Uber and Lyft drivers have personal insurance coverage and company coverage. As a passenger, it’s important to know that you’re not at fault in this situation. The driver’s insurance through the company should cover the damages, but your claim may get complicated depending on the nature of the accident and how fault is determined.

What happens if another driver was responsible for the accident?

Uber and Lyft have insurance coverage for injuries and damages while you’re a passenger. In this case, the other party is at fault. Their insurance should pay for injuries and damages. However, if they’re uninsured or underinsured, Uber and Lyft have policies for that. Your claim has the potential to get complicated in this situation since you’ll have multiple insurance companies to contend with and they may decide to work together to give you a lower settlement offer than you deserve.

What happens if a rideshare driver caused an accident without a passenger?

This could depend on whether or not the rideshare driver was matched with someone and was going to pick them up. When they’re matched, the primary liability coverage kicks in. Before that point, both Uber and Lyft drivers’ personal insurance policies must provide coverage. If they don’t have enough coverage, the companies have insurance coverage for the driver, but it’s not as much as the primary coverage.

If you’re involved in a crash with a rideshare vehicle that didn’t have a passenger at the time, you may find yourself struggling to receive a fair settlement offer for this reason.

Can I file a lawsuit against Lyft or Uber for my accident?

If you’re involved in an accident with a rideshare driver, you may be able to sue Uber or Lyft, but the requirements for doing so would depend heavily on the case and the accident. Uber and Lyft drivers are considered independent contractors by both companies, but the legal definition of “independent contractor” may not apply 100% to drivers as we’re now finding out. To learn more, we encourage you to get in touch.

In accidents without a passenger, the driver’s personal insurance covers that portion of the drive, but the companies have insurance if the driver doesn’t have enough. For accidents with a passenger, the rideshare companies have insurance to cover for those damages.

What if I’m an Uber/Lyft driver and was involved in an accident? Do I have legal options?

You definitely do.

If you’ve been in an accident with another driver and feel the other driver was at fault, you can receive insurance compensation for any injuries you’ve sustained as well as for the damage your car received. While Uber and Lyft both provide liability coverage when you’re driving a passenger or traveling to pick up a passenger, you’ll need to rely on your own insurance coverage for the periods when you’re using the app but don’t have a passenger.

Proving the other driver was at fault can be tricky on your own, but you can contact a rideshare accident lawyer to help you with your claim.

Why are rideshare accident cases so complex?

Rideshare accident cases often involve three insurance groups– the driver’s private insurance, the rideshare company’s insurance, and the other driver’s insurance. If you’re not a passenger and were driving your own vehicle, then your insurance is involved, too. With all the insurance policies in place and multiple corporations, any accident claim can easily get confusing. This might result in an unfavorable settlement or may result in multiple groups attempting to offer you a low settlement offer.

The best way to avoid this is to hire a rideshare accident lawyer. They’ll represent your interests and do everything they can to get you a favorable settlement.

What can I potentially receive compensation for?

Car accidents can cause painful injuries that will require time and treatment to heal. Your recovery might mean missing work and having to deal with chronic pain. With the help of a rideshare accident lawyer, you could get compensation for:

Pain & Suffering

Medical Costs

Damages

Lost Wages

We understand how hectic rideshare accidents can be. If you have any additional questions, don’t hesitate to contact Rideshare Law Group today.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice. Viewing does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. Prior case results do not guarantee a similar outcome.